Published by the Sustainable Buildings Task Force, November 2023

This whitepaper addresses the overlooked issue of embodied carbon in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, which can account for up to 70% of embodied carbon in refurbishment projects. It outlines strategies to reduce carbon emissions in MEP systems, such as using low-carbon materials, conducting whole-life carbon assessments, and adopting circular economy principles. The paper calls for collaboration and innovation to decarbonize these systems, alongside efforts to reduce operational carbon.

Keywords: Building Retrofits, Climate Change, Energy Efficiency/Management, Intelligent Building